Broke a pin off in the PCMCIA port...

[pdoherty]

Machine: Puma 300LC
Control: Fanuc 21iTA

We are no longer able to read & write to memory cards through the PCMCIA connector. Tried several different compact flash to PCMCIA adapter cards, no joy. Inspection of the socket (connector) on the control revealed a broken pin. The connector looks to be molded (or perhaps potted) on the end of a ribbon cable that is soldered to main board - i.e. not very serviceable.

Went back to RS232 but it's getting old, especially after using the new Haas VF5/50 with Ethernet/HDD option...

Anybody run into this?

[Thorn3]

pdoherty: Replacing connectors (potted) on ribbon cables usually requires that you cut off the existing connector and replace it with the same type. Do a search on an electronics parts site for the connector and appropriate housing.

To insure that you get the pinout correct, use a DMM to trace the pin to wire. Here is a link that will help you.

http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_C...or_PCMCIA.html

[jman001]

You may find interesting info here: pinouts.ru

I have had some problems with conectors in the past (mini usb on a cell phone motherboard). I used a brass rod (K&S from a hobby store) to make a new pin and a small amount of silver epoxy to fix it into the board. So far it has worked fine (of course you can solder it, but the components were so crowded in that board that i did not take the risk). If you need cheap silver paste epoxy you can find it at www.allelectronics.com.

Regards,

[Thorn3]

Another alternative to replacing the pin with brass, is to use a pin from an old connector. Usually, these are gold plated to prevent oxidation. Removing a pin from an old connector is usually not too bad. However, replacing one pin in a potted connector is extremely difficult. In the end... it is a better, faster method to simply replace the entire connector with a new one. Often times, the connectors for ribbon cables are the clamp type, where there is a metal pin with a slot in it, for each wire. The ribbon cable is pressed into the slots of the pins all at once. No soldering. Just like normal computer hard drive cables and connectors. Very easy to replace. The cable connectors for ribbon cables are typically snap together.

[silvano]

Originally Posted by pdoherty Machine: Puma 300LC Control: Fanuc 21iTA We are no longer able to read & write to memory cards through the PCMCIA connector. Tried several different compact flash to PCMCIA adapter cards, no joy. Inspection of the socket (connector) on the control revealed a broken pin. The connector looks to be molded (or perhaps potted) on the end of a ribbon cable that is soldered to main board - i.e. not very serviceable. Went back to RS232 but it's getting old, especially after using the new Haas VF5/50 with Ethernet/HDD option... Anybody run into this?

OK very easy to solve....on F21 you can replace the PCMCIA adpter...if you send me serial number i' ll resend you P.N. needed.

Regards
Silvano

[pdoherty]

Hey, thanks for the replies.

A couple of clarifications:

1. it is a flexible printed circuit, not a ribbon cable that goes between the connector and the printed circuit board.

2. it does actually look like there may be a connector at the PCB, making this a replaceable assembly, as silvano's post implies.

Sorry I was too lazy to get up and go look in the back of the cabinet yesterday when I composed the initial post. I should know better than to trust my memory.

Attached are a couple photos, including one with the model number and what I believe to be the serial number - K01060547 - is this what you need silvano?

Thanks again.

ps first time for photos for me - apologies in advance if I blow it.

[pdoherty]

OK, I RTFM'd on how to do attachments.

Here they are:

[silvano]

HI i do tech service on Fanuc....you must replace...do not try to repair....this parts are available on Fanuc service, or otherwise i' ll sell you one new piece from Europe.
Let me know.....

[pdoherty]

Just got off the line with Fanuc service.

It is a separate cable and socket assembly that plugs into the main PCB.

PN A66L-2050-0010/B - $34.31 ea.

Seems like a bargain...

Thanks for the help.

[lazza_1]

Fanuc 21iTA can run Eternet aswell may be worth you while looking into it

Originally Posted by pdoherty Machine: Puma 300LC Control: Fanuc 21iTA We are no longer able to read & write to memory cards through the PCMCIA connector. Tried several different compact flash to PCMCIA adapter cards, no joy. Inspection of the socket (connector) on the control revealed a broken pin. The connector looks to be molded (or perhaps potted) on the end of a ribbon cable that is soldered to main board - i.e. not very serviceable. Went back to RS232 but it's getting old, especially after using the new Haas VF5/50 with Ethernet/HDD option... Anybody run into this?

[pdoherty]

lazza_1,

I agree. Do you have any experience with adding this option to an existing control? Any idea of the cost?

[pdoherty]

The part came in from Fanuc America and it took 5 minutes to install:

No need to even open up the back of the cabinet.

Remove the display from the cabinet by unscrewing the 4 phillips head screws in the corners on the front of the display and have a helper support it while you change out the connector assembly.

Unscrew the two screws that hold the connector to it's bracket.

Carefully pry, one side at a time, the PCB connector off of the mating connector on the display circuit board.

Reverse to reassemble.

Try not to yank that PCMCIA card quite so hard next time you take it out.